Retractable covering



May 12, 1970 N. B. POPIL RETRACTABLE COVERING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 1.7, 1966 FIG; 2

M W mp ma W3 u 0 H C l N N. B. POPIL RETRACTABLE COVERING May 12, 1970 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1966 L Rm 0 0 MP ms L .0 H m N Fla 7United States Patent US. CI. 52-64 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREApparatus for covering a relatively large open area from inclementweather which large area i defined at least partially by verticalextending wall structure. The apparatus includes a cover member whichhas a first side portion fixedly connected to one portion of the wallstructure and cable means are connected to the cover member at a secondside portion. Motive transfer means are connected to the cable means andare movable in first and second directions to alternately move thesecond side portion of the cover member between open and closedpositions. Motor drive means cooperate with the structure for moving themotive transfer means.

SUMMARY The invention is directed to covering large open areas such assports stadiums so that contests which are conducted therein can becontinued without the usual interruptions of inclement weather. Thepresent invention provides structure where the cover is inclined at anacute angle to aid in the drainage of water and is convenientlyconstructed so that it can be readily opened and closed.

The present invention relates in general to a roof construction and moreparticularly to a roof construction which can be utilized for thepurpose of covering areas such as stadiums, arenas, open topped buildingstructures or storage and manufacturing areas, which roof can be movedfrom an open position where the area is exposed to the weather elementsto a closed position wherein the area is shielded from the weatherelements.

As an example of the utility of the present invention one may take thecase of sports arenas such as those presently utilized in the playing ofcollege or high school baseball and football. Most of these stadiumscomprise vertically extending wall structure which rise to a givenheight which wall structure may extend around or partially around theplaying field in a conventional manner and which includes seating forspectators. The upper portion of the wall structure usually terminatesin what is commonly referred to as a roof, however, the comparativelylarge area between the wall structure is exposed at all times to theweather elements.

Provision has been made in some prior art structures to provide apermanent closure or roof over this hereinbefore uncovered area'and thispermanent roof has included in some instances transparent portions inthe na ture of glass or plastic members, however, this construction isgenerally of a permanent nature. Many disadvan tages have arisen withthis type of structure such as glare from the sun resulting in playersof a sport being momentarily blinded by the sun. Another disadvantagehas been the inability of a player to properly follow a rapidly movingball which alternately passes a support structure and a transparent ortranslucent member. When the transparent closures have been painted orotherwise treated to keep the sun out, difficulties have beenencountered in trying to keep the grass on the playing field from dying.

The prior art has also utilized in some instances a roof structure forthis area which generally is of a permanent type construction but whichcan partially be uncovered by the rotation of various elements withrespect to each other in a generally angular direction.

The present invention seeks to obviate the disadvantages in any of thehereinabove described prior art structures by providing a roof orclosure member which can be readily opened and closed depending upon theweather conditions exteriorly of the structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a roof closureconstruction whereby the closure mechanism utilized includes cable meansfor drawing the cover member between open and closed positions and alsowhere rails are provided for drawing the cover member between open andclosed positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism forfolding the cover member when the cover member is moved to an openposition in uncovering an area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover member forcovering a playing field or other uncovered area which comprises a highstrength plastic material which is translucent in nature and which isufficiently reinforced to withstand any span which it must extend over.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of this invention may be had byreferring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sports stadium showing the roof closureof the present invention in a closed or covered condition;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the stadium shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing a detail of a portion of theconstruction shown in FIG. 2, namely the left end of the cable with themeans for driving the same;

FIG. 4 is a further detail of the construction shown in FIG. 2 andillustrating the means for folding the cover member as it is moved toopen position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a modification ofthe roof closure shown in FIG. 1;

7 FIG. 6 is an elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken through the cover member illustrating ameans of connecting reinforcing cables to the cover member to give thecover member further support when desired.

As mentioned hereinabove, the roof closure is susceptible of a varietyof uses, however, in the embodiment illustrated herein the area to becovered has been shown as a sports stadium 20. This stadium 20 includesa playing field 22 upon which the participants of a particular gamepursue the same, and the stadium includes vertically extending wallstructure identified by the reference numerals 24 and 25. In theembodiment shown the vertical wall structures 24 and 25 extend generallyparallel with each other with the playing field 22 residing therebetweenand the ends of the structure have been shown as open.

From the standpoint of practicing the present invention it is of littledifference Whether the ends are open or closed. The stadium alsocomprises conventional seats 27 for spectators.

The top of the vertically extending wall structures 24 and 25 terminatein roofs 29 and 30 respectively and mounted on the roof 29 are aplurality of truss structures 33 which extend to a given vertical heightand mounted on the roof 30 are a plurality of truss structures 34. Eachof the truss structures on a given roof are connected together at theiruppermost apex by means of a supporting member which serves to morestructurally secure the truss structures of a given plurality together.The truss structures 33 are each provided with a pulley member 37 andeach of the truss structures 34 are also provided with a pulley member38. Extending between opposed pulley members 37 and 38 are continuouscables 40, only one of which has been shown, however there are a totalof seven, identical in construction.

A cover member 48 is provided with first and second end portions 49 and50 respectively and this cover member may be generally described as aone-piece translucent member which may be made up of a plurality ofpieces of material suitably secured together but which when completed ispreferably of a one-piece construction. The particular construction ofthe cover member may be varied substantially, however the fabric may benylon and/or Dacron covered for example with a vinyl or a neoprenerubber. For the sake of'example the material should have a comparativelyhigh tensile strength, preferably over 200 pounds per square inch, andshould be, as mentioned before, translucent. The material should have alow moisture absorption factor, preferably less than of the fabricweight and should comply with the cold snap test when used in northernclimates to 40 F. The construction should also include anti-ozonecompounds for protection from the ultra-violet rays of the sun and thematerial should be comparatively light weight, for example it shouldweigh in the range of from to 70 ounces per square yard. The materialshould be fireresistant to meet Federal Regulation CCT-19lB Method 5910.The cover member 48 may have, for the sake of reinforcing the same, aplurality of cables running therethrough in any given pattern. FIG. 8serves to demonstrate how such reinforcing cables are secured to thecover member. In this preferred construction the reinforcing cable 54 ishoused in a plastic pipe 55 held in position to the cover member by afabric piece 56 which fabric piece 56 has its ends secured to the covermember by means of fabric pieces 57 at either end thereof.

The first end portion 49 of the cover member 48 is suitably fixedlysecured along the side that corresponds to the vertically extending Wallstructure 25, by means of a plurality of brackets 59 (FIG. 4) and theopposite end 50 of the cover member is secured to each of the cables 40by means of brackets 61.

A drive motor 63 is mounted by each of the truss structures 33 (FIG. 3)and is adapted to drive the pulley members 37 by way of a belt 65. Thedrive motors 63 are reversible and may serve to drive the cable to whichit is operatively connected, in either of two opposed directions. All ofthe drive motors 63 are synchronized to operate together.

A folding mechanism 68 is located at the truss structures 34 and are forthe purpose of folding the cover member 48 as the field is uncovered.There is a folding mechanism 68 located at each of the truss structures34, however, these have not been shown in FIG. 1 for more ease inillustrating the rest of the structure. The folding mechanisms eachinclude a housing 70 with a vertically extending wall and a drive motor72, through a belt, serves to drive three sheaves 73, 74 and 75. Theconstruction of the sheaves 73 through 75 is such that a clutchmechanism is provided between the axle and the sheave so that when thesheave meets sufficient resistance to rotation it will remain stationaryrelative to its axis so that the adjacent sheave will continue to bedriven etc., until all of the sheaves have met sufiicient resistance torotation whereby they will no longer turn. Wind up cables 77, 78 and 79extend from sheaves 73, 74 and 75 and are secured at equidistantpositions to the cover member across its width. As a result when thecover member is retracted by actuation of drive motors 72 along withdrive motors 63 which are synchronized therewith, the wind up cable 77will be drawn through the opening in the wall of housing 70 until thebottom fold shown in FIG. 4 is produced therein and resistance tofurther movement of cable 77 is encountered. Cables 78 and 79 willcontinue to be drawn through their respective openings to produce thesucceeding folds as shown in FIG. 4, until the cover member has reachedan open position whereat appropriate limit switches are thrown therebyde-energizing motors 63 and 72. In order to close the cover member thereverse procedure is gone through, namely, drive motors 63 are energizedto travel in the opposite direction which pulls the cover member 58across the playing field. In this direction of movement of the covermember the cables 77, 78 and 79 do not exert a force tending to closethe cover member, but simply are permitted to unwind to their extendedpositions.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a modification of the invention shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and in this embodiment there has been shown a stadium80 which has vertically extending wall structures 81, 82 and 85 whichterminate in roofs 83, 84 and 86 respectively. A similar wall structureis located opposite wall structure 86 but which has not been numbered.Truss structures 87 are mounted on roof 83, truss structures 88 aremounted on roof 84 and truss structures 89 are mounted on roof 86 aswell as the roof opposite 86. It will be noted that the truss structures87 extend to a greater vertical height than do the truss structures 88and at opposed ends of the roofs there are provided tracks 92 and 93. Aplurality of sliders 95 are located on track 92 and a plurality ofsliders 96 are positioned on track 93. A cover member 98 is provided, ofthe same construction as cover member 48, and this cover member issupported between the sliders 95 and 96 by means of cables allidentified by the reference numeral 100. These cables are secured to thecover member in a manner similar to that construction shown in FIG. 8and are secured to each of the sliders as shown in FIG. 7. An end of thecover member is fixedly secured in position to a support member 101which connects the apex of each of the truss structures 88.

Drive motors 102 and 103 are provided at opposed ends of track 92 andare for the purpose of moving the sliders 95 between the position shownin FIG. 5 and the position shown in FIG. 6 to open and close the covermember. This is accomplished by means of a cable 105 which extendsaround a sheave or pulley at either end which pulleys are drivenrespectively by the drive motors 102 and 103, and this cable 105 extendsthrough openings in each of the sliders, however, is fixedly secured tothe slider closest to drive motor 102. This is the identical drivemechanism for moving the sliders 96 which travel on track 93 and onlyone drive motor 107 is seen in FIG. 5. All four of the drive motors aresynchronized with each other to open and close the cover member andlimit switches are provided at either end to de-energize the drivingmotors when the designed limits of the cover member have been traversed.FIG. 6 demonstrates in a somewhat schematic manner how the cover member98 tends to fold when the cover member is moved to open position. FIG. 7is a detail of construction of one of the sliders 95 which shows theconnection of the support cables with the slider members and also showsthe construction of cable 105. It will also additionally be noted thatrollers 109 of suitable construction are utilized to aid the sliders intraveling in a relatively uninhibited fashion on the tracks with whichthey are associated.

It will be noted in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 that thetruss structures on one side have been located at a higher elevationthan the truss structures on the other side, which provides for theconvenient escape of moisture usually in the form of rain water, by theaction of gravity. In the event there is not sufficient drop for thecover member or in the event the cover member has a tendency to droop orbag out in spots so as to entrap water, it is possible to installsufiicient duct work in cooperation with the cover member in order totransfer the moisture to the ground. It is also possible to make theroof closure slightly more weather proof than illustrated in theaccompanying drawing by closing the spaces leading into the stadiumbetween the truss structures and it is also possible to close the openends of the stadium to some degree if desired. The sliders and tracks inFIG. 5 in combination with the drive motors and the drive motors andpulleys in FIG. 1 may all be generally referred to as motive transfermeans.

It will thus be seen from reviewing the above disclosure that theprimary object of conveniently covering a comparatively arge area suchas a stadium has been accomplished in an economical and inventivemanner.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand that numerous changes in the details of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for covering an open area defined by. vertically extendingwall structure which extends at least partially around the open area andwhich has first and second sides, including in combination a firstplurality of support structures secured to the top of said wallstructure at said first side of the wall structure, a second pluralityof support structures secured to the top of said wall structure at saidsecond side of the wall structure, said first plurality of supportstructures being substantially higher than said second plurality, afirst plurality of pulley members mounted on at least some of said firstplurality of support structures, a second plurality of pulley membersmounted on at least some of said second plurality of support structures,and being oppositely disposed with respect to the pulley members of saidfirst plurality, cable members extending between respective pulleymembers of said first and second plurality, a cover member having afirst side portion secured to the top portion of said second pluralityof support structures and having a second side portion secured to saidcable members, and motor drive means mounted on some of said supportstructures for moving said cable members to move said second sideportion of said cover member back and forth between said first andsecond sides of the wall structure, said first and second plurality ofsupport structures and pulley members mounting said cover member at anacute angle with respect to the ground to aid in the drainage of watertherefrom.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein folding means are located atsaid second plurality of support til structures and including means forengaging said cover member wherein increment lengths are positionedgenerally horizontally and stacked on top of each other in a generallyvertical direction.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein folding means are located atsaid second plurality of support structures and include fold cablesattached to said cover ember at different positions across the lengththereof whereby said fold cables when actuated causing said cover memberto be folded with the folds extending generalcy horizontally and stackedgenerally vertically.

- 4. Apparatus for covering an open area from inclement weather, saidopen area defined by vertically extending wall structure which extendsat least partially around and substantially above the open area andwhich has first and second sides, including in combination a firstplurality of support structures secured to the top of said wallstructure at said first side of said wall structure, a second pluralityof support structures secured to the top of said wall structure at saidsecond side of the wall structure, a first plurality of pulley membersmounted on at least some of said first plurality of support structures,a second plurality of pulley members mounted on at least some of saidsecond plurality of support structures, and being oppositely disposedwith respect to the pulley members of said first plurality, cable meansextending between respective pulley members of said first and secondplurality, a cover member having a first side portion secured to the topportion of said second plurality of support structures and having asecond side portion secured to said cable means, and drive means carriedby said support structures for moving said cable means to move saidsecond side portion of said cover member back and forth between saidfirst and second sides of the wall structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 834,287 10/1906 Frey 1601931,407,248 2/1922 Brown 16035 X 1,728,074 9/1929 Nicholas l6O-842,603,171 7/1952 Smith 52 66 2,754,900 7/1956 Karobonik et al. 160--84 X3,288,158 11/1966 Gugliotta 5266 X HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary ExaminerU.S. Cl. X.R.

